Cyrus Caines


Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration

College/School: College of Business

During his deployment in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marine Corps, Cyrus Caines learned firsthand about perseverance. There, somewhere in the foreignness, with the intense focus and hard work, he also had an enlightening and reflective moment: He said he got a better understanding of his ambitions, and what he wanted for his future.  

As determined as he was at age 18 to join the Marines, he firmly resolved to obtain a higher education from FIU to ensure a better future for himself and his family, especially his young siblings. Today, the 26-year-old, originally from Jamaica, has earned his bachelor’s degree as an accounting major and will pursue a master’s degree in data analytics. A member of Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honor society, Cyrus also is a member of the Student Veterans of America FIU chapter and Toastmasters.

While at the Military and Veterans Affairs Office at FIU as a work-study student, he made it his mission to help 1,400 military students each semester by making the process more efficient, so those students could obtain their tuition assistance, scholarships and other educational benefits.

His work ethic and genuine get-it-done attitude has been recognized by KPMG, one of the Big Four accounting firms, which has offered Cyrus a position after graduation.  

By Ana Acle-Menendez
Writer, College of Business